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    Home » Ethnic Inspired Recipes » German Inspired Recipes

    Published: Oct 24, 2013 · Modified: Sep 30, 2024 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Oma's Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

    Jump to Recipe

    Hi, I'm Oma (aka Renee)! Today, I'm bringing you my traditional German Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage recipe that's as vibrant in flavor as it is colorful!

    A pretty white bowl filled with Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage along with a golden spoon.

    German and German-inspired recipes call to me. They're certainly some of my favorites on the website, and I would be thrilled for you to enjoy them as well. German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich), Bratwurst Appetizer Bites, Knockwurst Sandwich, and Zuckerkuchen (sugar cake), are just a few of the German recipes I want to call to your attention just in case you haven't seen them before.

    This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.

    Table of Contents Found Here
    • The ingredients:
    • Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    • Ingredient add-ins and substitutions:
    • Everything old is new again:
    • Can this German vegetable dish be made in advance?
    • Can the bacon be left out of this recipe if desired?
    • Can turkey bacon be used to make sweet and sour red cabbage?
    • What type of vinegar is best for German red cabbage?
    • Can sweet and sour red cabbage be finished in the oven?
    • How many servings does this recipe make?
    • Can cooked red cabbage be frozen?
    • Additional recipes featuring cabbages:
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Please comment if you've made this recipe.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. IT'S FREE!! Thanks, and I can't wait to see you there!!

    The ingredients:

    *Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.

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    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • large high-sided skillet
    • slotted spatula
    • chefs knife
    • cutting board
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • slotted spoon

    Ingredient add-ins and substitutions:

    Everything old is new again:

    I originally published this recipe post in October of 2013.

    That's a long time ago.

    Today, I'm updating and republishing this post with additional information, new photos, a recipe card, and a video.

    Pretty much the whole thing is getting an overhaul, except for the recipe itself.

    That hasn't changed, because it was already amazing.

    Can this German vegetable dish be made in advance?

    Can the bacon be left out of this recipe if desired?

    Can turkey bacon be used to make sweet and sour red cabbage?

    What type of vinegar is best for German red cabbage?

    Can sweet and sour red cabbage be finished in the oven?

    How many servings does this recipe make?

    Save this for later.

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Email forwarding service for saving information.

    Can cooked red cabbage be frozen?

    Additional recipes featuring cabbages:

    Creamed Cabbage with Caraway and Sausage is a deliciously hearty meal. It's a quick cooking, comforting meal that's perfect for any night of the week.

    This Corned Beef and Cabbage Coleslaw is my fun and unusual take on Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage only this is a dish best served chilled.

    Copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad is one of the most popular recipes on my site. Once you try this colorful, delicious, and healthy cold salad, you'll understand why.

     

    When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.

    Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    A golden serving spoon in a large white bowl filled with Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage.
    QR Code

    Oma's Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

    Renee Goerger
    A little bit of sweet and a little bit of sour. Add the bacon and you've got a German side dish that will please everyone!
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Vegetable - Side Dish, Vegetables
    Cuisine German Cuisine
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 234 kcal

    Equipment

    • Dutch oven optional
    • large high-sided skillet optional
    • chef's knife
    • cutting board
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • slotted spatula
    • slotted spoon

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 medium red cabbage cored and sliced
    • ½ pound bacon cut into 1" pieces
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1½ teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ cup brown sugar loosely packed
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    InstacartGet Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a large high-sided skillet (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until almost crisp. Drain off some of the grease but leave about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
    • Add the sliced red onion to the pot cook, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes. Add in the sliced cabbage, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir well to combine.
    • Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally about 10 minutes.
    • Stir in the brown sugar, vinegar, and balsamic vinegar.
    • Continue cooking, stirring occasionally for an additional 15 minutes until the cabbage has reduced in volume, and is soft in texture.
    • Optional - Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C) and add place the pot of sauteed cabbage in the oven to cook for 15-20 minutes before serving.

    Video

    Notes

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
    May be frozen after cooking. Freeze in an airtight freezer container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in a covered casserole dish in the oven until hot.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1270IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg

    I sincerely hope you will enjoy making (and eating) this German red cabbage vegetable side dish as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

     

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

    Please don't forget to like and follow me across all of my SM channels, and while you're at it stop by and say hello! I'll be looking for you! 🙂

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    and PINTEREST

    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

    Selfie of Renee of Kudos Kitchen by Renee
    Custom Renee Signature

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      Cherry Cheesecake Puff Pastry Strudel
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      Bratwurst and Gravy Baked Potato

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Diane says

      April 30, 2025 at 4:11 pm

      How much red onion, please?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        April 30, 2025 at 7:21 pm

        Sorry for my error. One half cup of diced red onion is what you'll want.
        Thank you,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Debbie Purvis says

      March 25, 2019 at 9:13 am

      Can I use stevia instead of sugar? How many carbs is this?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 25, 2019 at 12:38 pm

        Hi, Debbie!
        Great question, and by all means, please feel free to substitute stevia for the brown sugar.
        I'll work on the recipe card feature shortly and will add it to the post. It will include the carb count along with the calories, but be warned that the calorie and carb count will be calculated using brown sugar, and not stevia.
        Having said that, if you are going to substitute stevia for the brown sugar, I worry that you won't get the depth of flavor that the brown sugar adds to this dish. To compensate, might I suggest that you add approximately 1 tablespoon of molasses along with the substitution of stevia to give the dish a bit more *oomph* (German speak. LOL)
        Thanks for your question and I hope this answer helps.
        Please check the recipe later today for the recipe card with the nutritional information.
        Have a great day!
        Renee

        Reply

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